I'm in the market to buy a television & need assistance.

[Susquehanna Birder]

The "stability" thing was hogwash. The 50" Panasonic I bought almost 10 years ago is still going strong. The only problem with it (besides the ungodly weight) is that it doesn't do 1080p and that it only has one HDMI input. But as far as performance goes, it still looks great.

[Sgt PSN]

So you have an older plasma and never had any problems with it?  That's good to know. 

Here's the tv on BB's website.  Seems to have all the bells and whistles on it (at least, the ones I was looking for). 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+51%26%2334%3B+Class+-+Plasma+-+1080p+-+600Hz+-+Smart+-+3D+-+HDTV/4846783.p?id=1218551143252&skuId=4846783&st=samsung%20plasma%2051%22&cp=1&lp=1

Seems like a pretty good buy for $700.   

[Rome]

Just make sure you buy the extended warranty on that beast.

Or hit it with a hammer.  Whatever.

[Sgt PSN]

Just make sure you buy the extended warranty on that beast.

Usually don't, but I did in this case.  4 yrs full service warranty.  Basically bumper to bumper.  In home repair and if they can't fix it, they'll send it back to the factory for repair or replacement.  $170 I think the price was for that.  Not bad for about $43/year. 

[Rome]

You're paying it off interest free too.  170 bucks is nothing when you consider it's actually free money (more or less) for two years.

[Sgt PSN]

True. 

Now I've got to decide what to do with my old Wega.  Still has a pretty nice picture to it, but the bulb is going to need to be replaced soon.  I can't even sell it for 10% of what I paid for it ($2500 for the tv, $300 for the stand) so I'm thinking it's just going to go in the attic and once I plant roots somewhere, I'll use it either for a guest room tv or if my future home has a separate family room and den/living room, then I'll just throw it in the room that gets the least amount of use. 

[SD]

Don't ever buy an extended warranty. All tvs come with a one year manufacturers warranty and anything that's going to go wrong with it will within the first year. I bought a Sony HDTV xbr which was the highest end LCD you could buy in 2006. It retailed for $2800 but I bought the floor model for $1600. 7 years later and the tv works as good as ever.

[Sgt PSN]

My Wega still works fine too other than the bulb is starting to go on it.  I did buy a 4 yr warranty on that tv as well because it covered the replacement cost for the bulb.  Bulb costs $200 and the warranty cost me about $125 I believe and the average bulb life is 3-4 years, so it seemed reasonable.  Shortly before my warranty expired I contacted Sony and told them my bulb burned out (it hadn't but was getting ready to go) and they sent me a new one free of charge.  A few months later, the bulb went and I had a replacement ready to install and saved myself about $75 in the process.

These are the only warranties I've ever purchased on electronics.  Hopefully I don't ever need to use the warranty on my new tv, but if I do, the fact that I get in home repair and free shipping to/from the factory will be worth it.   

[Sgt PSN]

I'm officially staking my claim as the biggest loser on .  I bought a wireless keyboard with a track pad on in and I'm posting from my tv.  Yeah, I'm using my tv's web browser post on a message board.  And I have picture in picture, so I'm not missing a thing on tv.  Doubt I'll actually post much from my tv, but now I can watch all the free interweb porn I want without streaming or mirroring. 

[ice grillin you]

im trying to buy a tv today and get a superbowl deal....dont need anything special....someone give me a solid buy in the 40-50 inch range

[Sgt PSN]

No complaints on the Samsung 51" plasma I just bought. On sale for $699 (reg $1099) @ Best Buy.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+51%26%2334%3B+Class+-+Plasma+-+1080p+-+600Hz+-+Smart+-+3D+-+HDTV/4846783.p?id=1218551143252&skuId=4846783&st=samsung%20plasma%2051%22&cp=1&lp=1

[ice grillin you]

thats a nice price....but i dont need ells and whistles like 3d and smart tv and shtein

this tv will be going into a room that dont use often....all i really need is a the best picture i can get for a price and a good amount of inputs

speaking of inputs is it possible to hook up two video game systems to one tv...and when i say video games i mean old ones...i have the nintendo and sega game systems from the early 90's....ie tecmo and nhl 94

[Sgt PSN]

thats a nice price....but i dont need ells and whistles like 3d and smart tv and shtein

In that case, you should be able to pick up a basic LED tv in the 50-60" range for under a G.  Sony, Samsung and Sharp are all excellent. LG and Vizio aren't bad either. Obviously you want to make sure it has 1080p and a minimum of 120hz for the refresh rate.

speaking of inputs is it possible to hook up two video game systems to one tv...and when i say video games i mean old ones...i have the nintendo and sega game systems from the early 90's....ie tecmo and nhl 94

Both have coax hookups, right?  You'll need to buy a 2 in, 1 out coax switch. Plug each console into one of the in ports, then run the out port to your tv's coax jack.  Use the selector switch to open the signal from one console to the other. Here's an example. You should be able to find them at Best Buy, Radio Shack, Wal Mart, etc if you don't want to wait for shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-Coaxial-A-Switch/dp/B0002ZPIQ4

[Diomedes]

best deal on a flat screen ever

[Rome]

haha... that is freaking great.